Oxbryta Lawsuit

People began filing Oxbryta lawsuits after research exposed the drug was associated with an increased risk of death and worsening side effects, including vaso-occlusive crises.

Oxbryta (voxelotor) was used to treat sickle cell disease. Pfizer, its manufacturer, issued a worldwide Oxbryta recall and took it off the market in September 2024 due to severe health risks, including 16 deaths in a pair of clinical trials.

Lawsuits argue that while Oxbryta was meant to help deliver oxygen to the body by stabilizing hemoglobin, it had the opposite effect. Instead, it increased the chances of death and caused painful complications called vaso-occlusive crises.

Vaso-occlusive crises happen when sickled blood cells block small blood vessels, causing severe pain and health issues like strokes and acute chest syndrome. Two clinical trials reported alarming results, including a disproportionate number of deaths and vaso-occlusive crises among participants.

People are filing Oxbryta lawsuits against the drug’s makers, claiming that Pfizer and Global Blood Therapeutics did not take proper care when developing and selling it. The lawsuits allege that these companies didn’t warn patients about the drug’s possible dangers, promoted it misleadingly and sold a product with serious flaws.

In addition, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has also reported over 21,000 reports of adverse events from people who took the medication while it was on the market.

The FDA approved Oxbryta through its accelerated approval pathway in 2019 for sickle cell patients 12 and older. It used the same process in 2021 for patients four to 11.

Accelerated approval requires drug makers to conduct postmarketing clinical trials. These mandatory studies revealed significant risks, leading to Oxbryta’s market withdrawal.

The people filing lawsuits seek compensation for medical expenses, lost income and other financial hardships. They also want additional penalties to hold the companies accountable for their actions and cover their legal costs.

These legal actions aim to address the problems caused by the risks associated with Oxbryta, which led to its removal from the market.

Tirrell Allen
In 2024, Tirrell Allen, a 43-year-old from Illinois with sickle cell disease, filed a lawsuit against Pfizer and Global Blood Therapeutics over injuries he claims were caused by Oxbryta. Marketed as a daily treatment to improve patients’ lives, Allen alleges the drug caused him serious harm.

Serious Injuries
In August 2024, Allen started taking Oxbryta. He began experiencing more frequent and painful vaso-occlusive crises. In September 2024, he had a severe crisis that resulted in a stroke and hospitalization.

Allen’s Lawsuit
Allen’s lawsuit against Pfizer claims the company withheld risks of Oxbryta, including higher chances of health crises and death. Allen seeks compensation for injuries and losses, holding the manufacturer accountable.

As of 2025, Oxbryta lawsuits are in the early stages. There have been no trials, verdicts or settlements. Cases have been filed in state and federal courts involving people from multiple states.

This opens the door for an eventual multidistrict litigation if plaintiffs file multiple Oxbryta lawsuits. Multidistrict litigations combine similar lawsuits into a single court to make the legal process more efficient.

You may qualify for an Oxbryta lawsuit if you have sickle cell disease, were prescribed Oxbryta for daily use and experienced serious health issues or worsening of existing conditions after starting the medication.

To file a lawsuit, you must provide evidence of your diagnosis, Oxbryta prescription and a clear link between the medication and your health problems. Families who lost a loved one due to these complications may also qualify.

Filing an Oxbryta lawsuit involves gathering key evidence, consulting an experienced attorney and meeting critical deadlines. Understanding the process can help you take the necessary steps to seek compensation for your injuries or losses.

Lawyers who handle personal injury lawsuits, like the Oxbryta lawsuits, typically work on a contingency basis. This means they don’t take payments from you unless they win your case. Consulting with them is usually free, but you should ask any attorney about fees before committing to them.

Editor Lindsay Donaldson contributed to this article.